Improvement of Readiness to Change in Heavy Drinkers by Group Drinking Education

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of brief group education on improvement of readiness to change in heavy drinkers. METHODS: We selected 37 heavy drinkers categoriged in the state of precontemplation and contemplation stage according to readiness to change questionnaire (RTCQ). The readiness to change was re-evaluated after 4 sessions of drinking education. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) frequency of participation in group education was 3.5 (+/-0.6). According to the stage of readiness to change, the subjects were distributed into 11 (29.7%) in the stage of precontemplation and 26 (70.3%) in contemplation before participation in the program. After completion of educational program, the readiness to change in the subjects was significantly (P<0.001) changed into 1 drinker (2.7%) in the stage of precontemplation, 16 (43.2%) in contemplation and 20 (54.1%) in action. The influential factors associated with the improvement of the status of readiness to change was family APGAR score (odd ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.02-3.03). CONCLUSION: Above results suggested that the readiness to change in heavy drinkers can be improved by brief group education program.